Vervolging veroorzaakt hoop op verlossing 1550

This is an engraving, made by Dirck Volckertsz Coornhert in the 16th century, using the labor-intensive technique of incising lines into a metal plate. Look closely, and you’ll notice the image is constructed from thousands of tiny, precise marks. The image is dominated by a muscular figure carrying a cross, his body carefully modeled with hatching. This wasn't just about artistic skill; it was a physical process, demanding immense patience and control. This particular print also includes the tools of another trade: shoemaking. At the bottom left of the image, a shoe sits near tools. Consider the social context: prints like these were produced in multiples, making images accessible to a wider audience in a way that paintings never could. The act of engraving itself, the sheer labor involved, speaks to a culture that valued both skill and the dissemination of knowledge. Ultimately, understanding the ‘how’ of this artwork – the meticulous craft of engraving – brings us closer to its meaning, blurring the lines between art, craft, and the world of work.